Barack Obama looking forward to work with the new Indian government

Washington: US President Barack Obama is looking forward to the formation of a new government in India, once the election results are announced and is pledged to work closely with New Delhi.

US President Barack Obama. Pic: AFP

"We look forward to the formation of a new government once election results are announced and to working closely with India's next administration to make the coming years equally transformative," Obama said in a statement yesterday.

Congratulating the people of India on the successful elections, the polling for which concluded yesterday, Obama said, "I congratulate the people of India on concluding their national elections.

India has set an example for the world in holding the largest democratic election in history, a vibrant demonstration of our shared values of diversity and freedom". More than 500 million eligible Indian voters exercised their right to franchise to elect some 543 members of Parliament, who would elect the new Prime Minister.

A series of exit polls released at the end of the voting indicated that the BJP-led NDA will form the government as the party under the leadership of its Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, is likely to emerge as the single largest party after the results which are scheduled to be announced on May 16.

The Congress, which has ruled the country for a decade now, has been projected to get around 100 seats. The outgoing Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term.

In his statement, Obama also referred to the strong friendship that the two countries have developed over the last decades, cutting across party lines.

"The United States and India have developed a strong friendship and comprehensive partnership over the last two decades, which has made our citizens safer and more prosperous and which has enhanced our ability to work together to solve global challenges," Obama said.